Are you comparing homes in Darien and wondering how the property taxes stack up next to Greenwich, New Canaan, Stamford, Westport, or Milford? You’re not alone. Taxes shape your monthly budget and can influence which town and price point feel right. In this guide, you’ll learn how Connecticut property taxes work, how to compare towns fairly, and how to estimate your annual bill and monthly escrow with confidence. Let’s dive in.

Connecticut property tax basics

Every Connecticut town sets its own property tax based on two parts: your assessed value and the town’s mill rate.

• Assessed value: The town assessor assigns an assessed value as part of the grand list. Assessments are updated during revaluations to reflect market conditions.
• Mill rate: A mill is $1 of tax per $1,000 of assessed value. Towns adopt a new mill rate each fiscal year to fund the budget.

Core formula you can use:

• Annual property tax = (Assessed value ÷ 1,000) × Mill rate

Billing schedules vary by town. Many Connecticut towns bill in two or more installments each year. Check the local tax collector’s calendar for exact due dates if you are planning cash flow or escrow.

Mill rate vs effective rate

A lower mill rate does not always mean a lower tax bill on a given home. For true apples-to-apples comparisons across towns, use the effective tax rate.

• Effective tax rate = Annual tax ÷ Market value
• If you know the assessment ratio: Effective rate = (Mill rate ÷ 1,000) × Assessment ratio

Why this matters: Assessment levels and timing differ across towns. The effective rate translates everything to a percent of market value so you can compare Darien to Greenwich, New Canaan, Stamford, Westport, and Milford on the same basis.

What drives differences across towns

Several local factors can raise or lower the per-dollar tax burden for similar homes:

• Mill rate set by each town’s annual budget
• Assessment policy and last revaluation timing
• Mix of residential vs commercial property on the grand list
• Per-capita spending, especially for education
• State aid and other intergovernmental revenue
• Distribution of property values within the town
• Local exemptions or credits available to eligible homeowners

The takeaway: always look at both the mill rate and how assessed values relate to market value.

Darien vs nearby towns: a fair comparison plan

To compare Darien with Greenwich, New Canaan, Stamford, Westport, and Milford, use two metrics side by side:

1. Annual tax dollars for common price points. Pick 2 to 4 price points that fit your search, such as $750,000, $1,000,000, $2,000,000, and $4,000,000.

2. Effective tax rate. Show the tax as a percent of market value for each town.

How to assemble the data:

• Gather each town’s current mill rate for the applicable fiscal year.
• Find each town’s assessment ratio or the assessed value for the specific property.
• Note the last revaluation year for context.
• If any exemptions apply to you, include them after calculating the raw tax.

Important context for buyers: A higher mill rate can still yield a similar or even lower tax dollar amount if the assessed value basis is lower. Always compute the effective rate before drawing conclusions.

Quick calculator steps

You can estimate annual taxes and monthly escrow for any listing in a few minutes.

1. Gather inputs

• Market value or target purchase price
• Assessed value for the property, or the town’s assessment ratio
• Current mill rate for the town
• Any exemptions or credits you plan to claim

2. Run the formulas

• If you have assessed value:
  • Annual tax = (Assessed value ÷ 1,000) × Mill rate
• If you have market value and an assessment ratio:
  • Assessed value = Market value × Assessment ratio
  • Annual tax = (Market value × Assessment ratio ÷ 1,000) × Mill rate
• Effective rate (%) = (Annual tax ÷ Market value) × 100

3. Plan your escrow

• Monthly property-tax escrow = (Annual tax + optional buffer) ÷ 12
• Many buyers add a buffer equal to 1 to 2 months of taxes for safety.

Example: $1M home modeled (hypothetical)

This example shows the math only. Use your town’s current numbers when you run it.

• Market value: $1,000,000
• Assessment ratio: 70% (example only)
• Mill rate: 20.5 mills (example only)

Steps:

• Assessed value = $1,000,000 × 0.70 = $700,000
• Annual tax = ($700,000 ÷ 1,000) × 20.5 = 700 × 20.5 = $14,350
• Effective rate = $14,350 ÷ $1,000,000 = 1.435%
• Monthly escrow (no buffer) = $14,350 ÷ 12 ≈ $1,196

Label any figures you produce with the fiscal year for the mill rate and the grand list year for the assessed value. If you expect to qualify for exemptions, subtract those amounts after you calculate the raw tax.

Billing and cash flow planning

Towns set their own billing schedules. Many in Connecticut bill semiannually or quarterly. Confirm the due dates with the town tax collector so you know when installments are owed. If you escrow taxes with your lender, align your monthly escrow with the town’s billing cadence and your expected annual total.

A practical tip: if you are closing near a due date, ask your lender and closing attorney how the prorations and escrow setup will work so there are no surprises.

Exemptions, relief, and appeals

You may qualify for local programs that reduce your tax burden. Common examples include elderly homeowner relief, disabled veteran benefits, and other targeted credits. Eligibility, amounts, and deadlines vary by town. Check the assessor’s information and application process well before deadlines.

If you believe your assessed value is incorrect, you can request a review or file an appeal. After a town-wide revaluation, individual tax bills can shift depending on how your property’s new assessment changed relative to the town average. Appeals follow procedures set by each assessor and, if needed, through state bodies.

How GEN Next can help

You want clarity before you write an offer or price a listing. We can prepare a customized property tax estimate for any listing you are considering in Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Stamford, Westport, or Milford. We will use current assessor data and the adopted mill rate to model annual taxes, monthly escrow, and any known exemptions. Results are estimates and should be confirmed with the town assessor.

As a boutique, principal-led brokerage, we pair local market intelligence with a tech-enabled client experience. We can include a clean tax comparison for several price points in your buyer packet or listing strategy, then integrate it into our collaborative app so you can track documents and next steps without friction.

Ready to compare towns and plan your budget with confidence? Schedule a conversation with GEN Next Real Estate and we will help you run the numbers for your short list.

FAQs

Does a higher mill rate always mean higher taxes across Darien and nearby towns?

• Not necessarily. Your annual bill depends on both the mill rate and your assessed value. Use the effective tax rate to compare towns on a true apples-to-apples basis.

Why did my property tax bill change after a town revaluation in Connecticut?

• Revaluations update assessed values to current market levels. Even if the total town revenue target is similar, individual bills change based on how your home’s assessment moved relative to the town average.

How often do Gold Coast towns like Darien revalue properties?

• Frequency varies by municipality. Many towns follow a multi-year cycle. Check the local assessor’s page for the last revaluation year and upcoming schedule.

Can I appeal my Darien home’s assessed value if I disagree with it?

• Yes. Start with the assessor’s review process, then proceed through formal appeal channels if needed. Deadlines and requirements are posted by the town assessor.

What other ownership costs should I plan for besides property tax in Fairfield County?

• Budget for homeowner’s insurance, mortgage interest, utilities, ongoing maintenance, any condo or HOA fees, local sewer or septic costs, and a small property tax escrow buffer.